Woonsocket, R.I. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Rhode Island

Statewide scholarship program awarded more than $1,000 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (March 8, 2012) - On March 4, Chandler Cross of Woonsocket, R.I. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Rhode Island and awarded $1,200 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at Burrillville Middle School in Burrillville, R.I.

Cross was one of 5 high school senior girls from Rhode Island who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Rhode Island for 2012. Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

Throughout the next year, Cross will represent Rhode Island at various public events and serve as a role model to young people by spreading the program’s national outreach message of “Be Your Best Self.” The outreach program is designed to encourage self-esteem and excellence in all young people through its five principles: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Ala. Cross will travel to Mobile, Ala. along with 49 other state representatives to participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing for the opportunity to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012 and for a share of more than $130,000 in cash scholarships. Tennessee’s Katye Brock, who is attending the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, won the 2011 overall award.

For more information on Distinguished Young Women of Rhode Island, please contact Susan Parillo at 401-580-0293 RhodeIsland@DistinguishedYW.org.

About Distinguished Young Women Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, Distinguished Young Women is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls. During its 54 years of operation, the program has provided life-changing experiences for more than 700,000 young women. Last year Distinguished Young Women provided more than $108 million in cash and college scholarship opportunities to program participants at the local, state and national levels. Previously known as America’s Junior Miss, the program announced its new name in June 2010.

The mission of Distinguished Young Women is to positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent. National sponsors include the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Eastern Shore Toyota, Encore Rehabilitation, SPANX, Mobile Gas: A Sempra Company, Alabama Power Foundation, Regions Bank and Master Boat Builders.

For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Stephanie Bradford, National Headquarters Communications Director (251-622-5335, Stephanie@DistinguishedYW.org) or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org.